Having spent a good part of its presentation talking about the now even slimmer iPad Air 2 last night, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Apple announced just one iPad yesterday, but it actually launched two. On top of the 6.1mm Air 2, Apple quietly let slip that it would also be updating its iPad Mini range with the iPad Mini 3.
Apple didn't dwell too long on its second tablet, though, as its sole mention came just after the company announced pricing for the iPad Air 2. This might lead you to think it's just a miniature version of Apple's latest flagship tablet, but that would be incorrect. Instead, it's exactly the same as the iPad Mini 2 (previously known as the iPad Mini with Retina Display), with the exception of TouchID and an extra £80 on its price for the privilege.
Like its older cousin, the iPad Mini 3 has a 7.9in Retina display with a 2,048x1,536 resolution and a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating to help keep the screen free of smeary finger marks. It's also made of exactly the same materials and has the same dimensions and weight, measuring 200x134.7x7.5mm and weighing 331g for the Wi-Fi version and 341g for the cellular model.
Apple hasn't updated the iPad Mini 2's processor for the iPad Mini 3 either, as it's still running Apple's A7 chip with M7 graphics. The 5-megapixel rear iSight camera and 1.2-megapixel front-facing FaceTime camera are also identical to those on the iPad Mini 2, meaning it loses out on the iPad Air 2's new burst photo and slo-mo video modes.
The only thing that's really changed is the addition of TouchID, which has been a staple of Apple's iPhone handsets since the iPhone 5s. This registers your fingerprint to the device, letting you unlock the iPad Mini 3 with just one touch. You'll also be able to buy things through the iTunes, iBooks and App Store with TouchID, saving you from having to type in your payment details every time you want to purchase something new.
It's much more secure than using passwords and pin numbers, but it also adds £80 onto the price, with prices starting at £319 for the 16GB Wi-Fi version, £399 for the 64GB version and £479 for the 128GB version. The cellular version, meanwhile, costs £419 for the 16GB storage option, £499 for the 64GB model and £579 for the 128GB model. It's available to pre-order from October 17th and comes in either silver, gold or space grey.
We think this is a pretty hefty premium for such a minor upgrade, but we'll be bringing you hands-on impressions of the new tablet shortly, and full reviews as soon as we get our hands on review samples. For more information about the iPad Mini 2, read our full review.
